There’s something truly magical about the moment the ukulele comes out in our Kiwi Room. Little eyes light up, tiny hands begin to clap, and before long even our youngest tamariki are swaying, babbling along, and reaching towards the music.
Over the past few months, music has woven itself into the heart of our daily routine — and we couldn’t be happier. What started as a few simple songs at mat time has grown into something much richer: a shared language between our kaiako and our babies that words alone can’t quite capture.
The ukulele — our little room’s big voice
The ukulele has become our instrument of connection. Its soft, warm tone is perfectly suited to little ears — gentle enough to never startle, inviting enough to always draw children in. Whether we’re strumming a quiet waiata to settle a sleepy pēpi or playing an upbeat tune to spark some giggly movement, it has a remarkable way of bringing every child into the same moment.
We’ve noticed that even our youngest babies — those still finding their place in the world — respond to its sound. Music, it turns out, speaks to us long before we can speak ourselves.
Why music matters for under 2s
Music does so much more than entertain. For our youngest tamariki, it supports language and communication development, strengthens the bonds between children and kaiako, and builds a growing sense of rhythm and body awareness. It also creates the kind of predictable, comforting routines that help little ones feel safe — and, of course, it sparks genuine joy and togetherness.
Music woven through our day
Music isn’t just an activity for us — it’s a thread that runs through the whole day. We use song to welcome children each morning, to signal transitions like lunchtime and sleep, and to bring the afternoon to a peaceful close. Our tamariki have come to recognise these musical cues, and you can see it in their faces the moment a familiar tune begins — that quiet, knowing recognition.
Mat time is where the ukulele truly shines. The children gather — some crawling over, some toddling, some simply turning their heads — and for a few precious minutes, we are all in the same moment together. Ages that might otherwise seem worlds apart sit side by side, united by a simple song.